Mandatory Water Ban in Three Southcoast Communities
Several Southcoast communities have enacted a mandatory water ban.
Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, and Marion have all implemented a ban on nonessential outside water use in efforts to conserve water as most of Massachusetts remains under drought conditions.
Here's what you can and can't do under the ban:
Nonessential outdoor water use shall mean those uses that are not required:
- for health or safety reasons
- by regulation
- for the production of food and fiber
- for the maintenance of livestock
- to meet the core functions of a business (for example, or irrigation by plant nurseries or agricultural operations as necessary to maintain stock or establish new plantings, wash equipment to prevent damage and/or maintain performance, pest management and plant cooling); or for irrigation by golf courses as necessary to maintain tees and greens, subject to the Town’s approval.
Nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include:
- Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
- Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety or to prevent damage and/or maintain performance of agricultural or construction vehicles or equipment; and
- Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.
Exceptions to nonessential outdoor water uses are:
- Gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose between the hours of 6AM to 8 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM only
- Irrigation with harvested and stored storm water runoff between the hours of 6AM to 8 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM only
The following outdoor water uses are subject to review and approval by the Towns of Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, through their Board of Public Works:
- irrigation to establish replanted or reseeded lawn or plantings
- irrigation of newly planted lawns (seeded or sodded) for homes or businesses newly constructed in the previous twelve months;
- Filling of privately owned outdoor pools; and
- irrigation by golf courses as necessary to maintain tees and greens.
Residents who are currently on a private well are encouraged to participate in the current restrictions due to the drought situation across the State.